Summary
The Empire Village Council held its November 13, 2025 regular meeting, chaired by President Pro-tempore Bacon in the absence of Davis, Walton, and Clerk Smith. The Council approved consent agenda items, advanced the Water Ordinance for attorney review, scheduled the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for December approval, approved removal of a streetlight, and authorized contact with the Village Attorney on zoning issues.
Public Comments
No public comments were made on agenda items. During general public comment, a resident asked about the streetlight removal; it was explained that Consumers Energy policy allows removal after a light has been off for one year. Another question concerned zoning violations on a property south of the Village Office; it was clarified that storage alone is not a permitted use and the absence of an operating business constitutes a permit violation.
Parks and Recreation Matters
During CIP review, the Council discussed adding a placeholder for recreational programming and/or storage. Water meter replacement costs were adjusted, and $30,000 was inserted for infrastructure under Parks. Motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, to place the CIP on the December meeting agenda for approval passed by unanimous voice vote.
Infrastructure Projects
The Council discussed the proposed Water Ordinance; Dye raised concerns about wording on private well approval and noted Section 8 was duplicated. Motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, to send the ordinance to the Village Attorney for review with corrections noted passed by unanimous voice vote. Treasurer Acton will send the existing Water Ordinance to the attorney for suggested replacement language. A DNR letter regarding the No-Wake Lake designation was received as a communication item.
Other Business
Motion by Dye, support by Skrocki, to remove the streetlight at 10099 Aylsworth Street, not to exceed $1,200, passed by roll call vote (Ayes: Bacon, Chase, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nays: None). Bacon noted the DPW, Fire Department, and County Sheriff had reviewed the request without objection. The Township/Village Committee on the Benzonia Rd. property will address a submitted proposal; motion by Rademacher, support by Dye, to add this to the December agenda passed unanimously. Motion by Dye, support by Rademacher, to authorize contact with the attorney regarding two zoning issues on property south of the Village Office passed by roll call vote (Bacon, Chase, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nays: None). Bacon reported on a Township meeting regarding a jointly owned property proposal.
Financial Summary
The Council approved bills totaling $6,889.21 as part of the consent agenda (roll call: Ayes Bacon, Chase, Dye, Rademacher, Skrocki; Nays: None). The CIP includes $30,000 inserted for infrastructure under Parks. The streetlight removal was capped at $1,200. Budget worksheets have been distributed to trustees for review.
Action Items
- Attorney to review the Water Ordinance with corrections noted; Acton to send existing ordinance for suggested replacement language.
- CIP to be finalized and brought back for approval at the December meeting.
- Township/Village Committee on the Benzonia Rd. property to be scheduled on the December agenda.
- President to contact the Village Attorney regarding two zoning issues on the property south of the Village Office.
- Trustees to contact the Clerk or President with questions on distributed budget worksheets.